On Saturday morning, the Annual Conference gathered for a joy-filled, meaningful final plenary session.
Celebration of the Lumbee Nation continued as Rev. Jim Jones, a member of the Lumbee tribe, offered highlights of connections between the Lumbee and the NC Conference. This relationship goes back to 1888, and through the years, this partnership has spread the Gospel and blessed communities. The passage of the Lumbee Fairness Act in December 2025 is the latest example of how this partnership has borne fruit. Jones said, “We praise God and thank you for walking with us.” Bishop Shelton displayed a lovely gift she received from the Lumbee celebration team, showing the 4 colors of the Lumbee tribe. Rev. Mattheue Locklear and his wife, Louisa, sang “He Leadeth Me” to close the report.
The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force (from Connectional Ministries) shared a video about their work educating folks about and advocating against the passage of Senate Bill 50, a bill that would allow someone as young as 18 to “conceal carry” without training or a permit. Peter Kasbohm from North Raleigh UMC shared, “United Methodists have a long history of advocating for people’s safety and caring for one another’s well-being….[Opposing this bill] will keep guns out of the hands of people that shouldn’t have them.”
The session continued with a Dialogue about the potential Full Communion Agreement between The UMC and the Episcopal Church. This Agreement was ratified by The UMC General Conference last year, and the Episcopal Church will vote on it next year.
Bishop Samuel Rodman, XII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and Rev. Sean Blackwelder, Chair of the Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships, discussed why it was important to enter into this relationship.
Unity is important to model as Christians because Jesus prayed that his followers might all be one, and we are called to “be a light to the world,” Rev. Blackwelder said.
Bishop Rodman reminded us that entering into Full Communion does not mean we will all do things the same way, but rather, that we would be able to learn from each other and serve together in shared worship, shared ministry, and shared mission to the world. This shared ministry “knits us together” and “both deepens and widens what it means to be the body of Christ.”
The attendees then celebrated other work of the conference, including 2,500 school kits assembled for local schools as part of the Annual Conference’s outreach project. Many thank-yous were extended for all who served and helped to make Annual Conference 2026 a success.
To close, the District Superintendents shared appointment changes in their districts, and Bishop Shelton announced that the new District Superintendent for the Capital District will be Rev. David Joyner, and the Heritage District will be welcoming Rev. Dr. Gloria Winston as District Superintendent. Appointments were fixed by Bishop Shelton.
Article written by Mandy Sayers
Photo by Jennifer Dail